To help the communities prepare for this new reality, the FNQLHSSC and the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) have held several regional meetings and consultations, the last of which was the regional meeting on cannabis, held on May 14 and 15, 2018.

The FNQLHSSC also headed the regional working group on the legalization of cannabis, made up of representatives from various sectors: health, social services, education, public safety, drug-addiction prevention, First Nations treatment centres, economic development and research. Created in October 2017, this working group meet twice (in March and July 2018). Its goal was to develop cannabis-related strategies that are specific to the First Nations in Quebec and are mainly focused on reducing negative impacts and on prevention, to support communities and organizations in dealing with federal, provincial and community legislation.

The working group is currently developing a toolkit for First Nations communities that will also be shared with politicians, interveners, various professions and schools. This toolkit will contain a slew of useful information, tools and resources, as well as a list of the available training events on cannabis-related issues, so that First Nations communities can make informed decisions in their eventual agreements with the Government of Quebec so that they may make their own regulation on their territories.

The guide will be soon available on the FNQLHSSC website. The working group will update it on an ongoing basis so as to provide information that meets the communities’ specific needs.